Airship



Sept. 20, 1932. w. w. PAGON 1,877,956

AIRSHIP Original Filed Feb. 10. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 20, 1932. w w, PAGQN 1,877,956

AIRSHIP Originai Filed Feb. 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 as 14 as 37 luon lion MLL/AIM MTTERS Raga/v Sept. 20, 1932. w. w. PAGON 1,377,956

AIRSHIP Original Filed Feb. 10. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 36' /i 21 X F1 E!- 5 L, X

MAL/HM Mrnsea Pa olv Patented Sept 20,1932

* UNITED wrLLIAM wA'rrrims recon, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND intern? Application filed Februaryllo, ie aa's er iai nu'essasv'. Ream Marci; aim:

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel truss which is applicable to the framework of an airship or to other structures, wherein the stress on each member 1 5 of the truss canbe determinedby calculation,

irrespective of the lengtheningor shortening of the truss members under load, theinvem tion thus enabling a statically determinate truss to be designed and constructed in accordance wlththe loadwhich it is to carry. The invention provides a truss system which is especially applicable .to airships of the types employing buoyant gas cells, the trusses when so employed being capable of being easily designed and constructed to have sufficient strength to Withstand the bending or shearing stresses and other-loads imposed upon them in structures of this kind without undesirable weight v videjnovel and improved cover supports'for adding unnecessary and thereto, it beingmade-possible to determine the stresses which will'be imposed [on each truss member and to make each truss member of a cross section in properpropoi'tionto its actual stress. If it is desired in airships devoted to warfare or forother reasons one on 1 more superfluous or redundant members may be added so that injury to a member will not impair the navigability of the ship, and yet it will still be possible to determine the actual stresses in all members} Also, in the'preferred form. of the-improved truss as applied to airships embodying gas cells, the di agonal members of the trusses are so arranged that they offer minimum obstruction to the CODSlStS in certain improvements and combl- 5 nations and arrangements of parts all-as will be hereinafter more fully described, the fea- 5 gas cells so that the latter-may -bemadeof maximum size and fouling or'other interference betweenthe'gas cells'and thee trusses is avoided. r V v Another object of the invention is to provide a framework'for airships which embodies a seriesof members arranged transversely to its longitudinal axis, these'members' being spaced longitudinally so that they lie between the series of gas cells, preferably in the planes of the verticals of the trusses, and they support bulk -head wirings so arranged that shoulda gas become punctured and consequently deflated the bulk-head wirings supported by'the adthe gas cellsfand catenarles J means for mounting Fig. 2 represents 1 a cell jacent'transverse members WillSllStillIl the adjacent gas cells against undue longitudinal expansion or displacement.

Another object is which span'th'e respective :gas cell spaces and are attached at intervals to the gas cell nettings so that they will accumulate the lifting forces ap plied to the nettings due to the buoyancy of the gas in the gas cells, the catena'ries functioning to transfer the lifting forces thusaccumulated in them tothe transverse members :or ma n'framework of the structure, and the catenaries for theodi'ffer'ent gas cellsare connectedto one another throughout the length of the structure sothat the pull exerted on ea-chcatlenary will be largely sustained'and "neutralized by the pull exerted on the catenaries for the adjacent cells.

Another object of the invent on is to proairships or similar structures and novel the cover ttl'lClltS supports on the main framework whereby rupture or other damage to the cover or its sup- A further object of the nose in tail or'other part ofan airship inconjunction'with continuations of th-e'longitudinals of the-truss members ofthemain framework whereby the series of trussesex "tending longitudinally of the structure are tures ofnovelty being pointed out'particularly in the claims at'the-end of the specification.

i In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1 and 1 are'collectively a, side elevation of an-airship embodying the present invention-,the cover and other parts thereof being omitted for 'clearness in illustration through the airship,

on an enlarged scale takenflon transverse section tak'en on t'he line 2-2 of Fig. l and being shown on an enlarged scale; 7 Fig. 3 represents a partial transverse vertic al section I the 1ine3f-3 of Fig. 1;

to providenettin-gs for i I ports 'may'occur without causing damage to 27:5 the main framework. the nvention- 1s to provlde tie members at that the invention, in part or in tudinally of the ship,

or'of metal sheets or Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale and in elevation, showing the lower portion of one of the transverse members, the lower portion of one of the trusses associated therewith and the catenaries for one of the gas cell nettings;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 4 as viewed from the right in that figure;

Fig. 6 is a top shown in Fig. 5

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of one panel of an airship employing another form of truss structure which provides eight longitudinals for the ship; and v F ig. 8 represents a transverse section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7. 3

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the different views.

The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings and will be hereinafter described in detail as applied to an airship of plan view of the structure the type employing a series of longitudinally spaced gas cells for lifting it and for supporting it while in flight, the features of the present invention being especially applicable tosuch structure, but it is to be understood whole, and especially the trusses may be applied to other structures or other uses and hence it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to airships. The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompany- .ing drawings but the invention is not restricted to the precise construction shown as equivalent constructions may be used and such are contemplated within the scope of the claims.

The airship shown in the present instance comprises generally a series of longltudmally spaced transverse members 1 which lie 1n vertical planes or planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis like in form to conform substantially with of the ship and are ringthe transverse contour of the ship, the spaces 2 between the transverse members serving to accommodate. the gas cells which are not shown but may be of the common or well known type, a framework composed of trusses 3 which are arranged in series longiand an outer cover 4 which may be of suitably treated fabric such as that usually employed for such purposes, other material the cover enveloping the transverse members and the framework and other parts of the ship. The airship is provided with stabilizing fins 5 and rudders 6 which are supported on the stern-post of the ship and may be provided with the usual controls, a control cabin bly extends longitudinally within the ship nose and the tail 7 cumferential series. or strut 20 1s fixed to the unction point 18 ship. at the point in the length thereof at which such frame is placed, the transverse members being reduced in size towardthe of the shipto conform with the longitudinal. contour or cross section thereof. A suitable number of the trusses 3 are arranged symmetrically around the transverse members, there being in the construction shownin Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, four trusses at the fore and aft side of each transverse member, the trusses lying in four planes arranged in such relation as to conform approximately withthe polygonal outline of the transverse member. The trusses are pro vided on both of the fore and aft sides of each transverse member, as will be clear from the diagrammatic illustration in Figs. 1 and 1 The trusses comprise chord or longitudinal members 13 which are fixed at 14 to the respective transverse members and extend from the fore and aft sides thereof, and diagonals 16 which connect the outer ends of these chord or longitudinal members of the circumferential series of trusses. The fore and aft ends of the longitudinal members 13 of the circumferential series of, t 'usses are joined at 15 to the corresponding members of the adjacent circumferential series of trusses spanning the gas cell spaces 2 which 7 series offour trusses are employed, as is shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, it preferable to provide the trusses with diagonals each of which is composed of a pair of members 16 and 17 which are arranged in angular relationship so that they converge to the point 18 which is adjacent to the point 14, the proximate ends of these diagonal members being joined at the point 18, the other end of the diagonal member 16 being fixed to the longitudinal member 13 at the point15 and the other end of the diagonal member 17 being joined at 19 to the corresponding diagonal memberof the next adjacent truss in the cir- A secondary diagonal of the diagonalmembers'and to the point 14 at which the truss chords or longitudinal deflated gas cell will sustain the *The longitudinal members 13 of the series of trusses are joined end to end at the points 15 and'they form in eflect continuous main longitudinals lengthwise of the ship, there being four of these longitudinals thus formed in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 in elusive. In order to sustain the series of trusses and transverse members in proper position, tie members 24; are attached to the longitudinals at any suitable point or points 011 the length of the ship, they being shown for example attached to the points 15 of the foremost trusses, and when these tie members are so applied, they may be connected at the point 25 to one another and to a nose spindle 26 which may be provided with a mooring cone or other attachment for connecting it toa mooring mast. Longitudinal truss members 13 may be extended rearwardly from the rearmost trusses of the framework and anchored at the apex of the tail of the ship. Diagonals 27 and cross members 28 are preferably arranged between the extended longitudinal members 13 to stabilize the truss system composing the frame work and to stiffen and strengthen the tail supporting members 13 7 Each transverse member 1 contains a bulkhead wiring 29 which is composed preferably of a number of wires, or of a singlewire arranged in a form similar to that of a spider web, these wires or the convolutions thereof being arranged one within the other around or substantially concentrically of the longitudinal axis of the structure, and these wires are supported by diagonal wires 30 which extend diagonally between the corners of the respective transverse vmember and are tied thereto and to the framework. The wires 29 composing the bulk-head are preferably made just taut or with a predetermined excess length rather'than placed under initial tension, so that they will bulge under the pressure of the gas in a cell at either side thereof without imposing excessive ring compression on the respective transverse member 1. These bulk-head wirings which are arranged within the different transverse members lie between the cells contained in the spaces 2 and they prevent surging of the gas cells in a direction axially, of the ship, and in the event of deflation of any. of the gas cells due to puncture thereof or other causes,

sides of the pressure of the gas in the ad acent gas cells, displacement the bulkheadwirings at opposite of or injury to the adjacent gas cells being thereby avoided. If desired, the mid-points of the diagonal wires 30 may be secured to an axial cable 100 which may be secured. in the usual way at the nose and tailof the ship, the axial cable then assisting the bulk-heads in sustaining the displacing tendency of the gas cells.

The gas cells are confined by gas cell nettings 31 which encircle the respective cells, and the lifting forces applied to these net tings by the gas cells are sustained by catenaries 32 which are fixed to the lower corners of the respective transverse members and the enclosed framework, as at 33 so that these catenaries loosely span the gas cell spaces. The catenaries are attached to the gas cell nettings by wires 34; which are attached to the nettings at suitably distributed points whereby each catenary will accumulate the lifting force imposed upon each netting by the respective gas cell, the catenaries transmitting such lifting forces to the main framework of the structure. The sag of the'catenaries will preferably equalize or partially equalize the longitudinal pressure exerted on the bulkhead wirings, and the longitudinal pull of adj accnt catenaries will neutralize each other, and as these catenarics are arranged end to end, there will be only slight, if any, longitudinal forces applied to the frame structure at the points where these catenarics are attached. Furthermore, the sag of these catenaries is preferably so adjusted that if a gas cell becomes deflated, the longitudinal pressure of the adjacent cells on the bull head wirings at opposite sides of the deflated cell will largely neutralize the pull of the catenaries in the adjacent cell spaces, and hence the stability of the structure in such an event will be preserved. Supplementary catenaries 35 are also preferably provided for supporting a gas cell in the event of its deflation, these catenaries being fixed to the transverse members and the enclosed framework at the points 36 so that they will bridge the respective gas cell spaces and support the gas cell if deflated. V V

Theouter cover 4, which may be of metal or any suitably treated fabric or material such as that generally used for such purposes, is supported by an appropriate number of longitudinal cover supports 36 over which the outer cover is laid. These cover supports are preferably composed of tubing or other shapes extending longitudinally of the ship and being spaced at suitable intervals'in a circumferential direction. Each cover support is preferably of catenary construction, the tubular member: 36 having struts 37 secured thereto to project inwardly therefrom, these struts being relatively shortnear the planes of the transverse members but increasing in length as they approach the middle of the span between transverse members, and a. tensioned wire or wires 38 extends longitudinally at the inner side of the member 36 and bears on the inner ends of the struts, the construction as just described providing a cover support which will effectuallyresist forces tending to deflect the cover inwardly. A similar inverted wire or wires 39 may be inserted and connected tothe struts to provide transverse members comprising preferably a 7 group of three tubesor othershapes arranged Gii circles; by a system of strutsv being composed preferably of .in triangular relation, the outermost tube, in

being preferably. are the construction shown, ranged at the apex of the triangle and secured to :the longitudinal cover supports 36 by sleeves 40Ior other suitable means,;the tubes comprising these circumferential supports being maintained by the lattice 21 and tie plates 41, one of these tie plates being preferably applied to the circumferential support at each point where it joins alongitudinal cover'support;

Each transverse member; 1 is secured: to-the portion of the main frameworkwhich it en- 42, each strut a set of three tubes orother shapes which may be riveted, welded orjotherwise secured at their-inner ends to the tubing composing the truss mem; bers 17 of the framework and at theirouter ends to the respective-tubes circumferential transverse member." These struts are adapted .to sustain compression stresses between the respective transverse members and the main framework, and in order to sustain tension stresses between these parts, a system of stay wires or rigid struts 43 composed of steel or other metal'is Jars ranged between the. tie plates 41 of the circumferential transverse members and the respective pairs of truss .members. of the framework. ,By locating the circumferential transverse membersin the median planes of the respective pairs of truss members, the struts 42 and stay wires .43 will have aidivergent form as will be clear from Fig. .6, and this divergent arrangementof the struts and tie wires will efiectually prevent upsetting of the circumferential transverse member or movement thereof longitudinally withrespect tothe framework. Y Knee members, composed preferably of groups of tubingor other shapes 44 are preferably extended diagonally across certain cor ners of the respective transverse members and riveted, welded or otherwise fixed thereto at 1 their ends and to the truss or frame-members 17 at intermediate points, these kneemem bers serving to reinforce and strengthen and stiffen the sides of the ship, and also to resist wind pressurewhen the ship is held onor close to the ground. The transverse members lying in the planes of the sections 2-2 and 3-3 of Fig. 1 are formed with depressions 45 and-46 respectively to provide engine compartments within the ship to .contain the en gines 47 a nd 48 which drive the propellers '8 and 9 respectively, andthe knees'44 serve to reinforce the portions-of the ship which. form gearing. However,

46 may be omitted and the engines-and other in triangular relationshipvides' four longitudinals, such composing the cumferential series,

the engine rooms and thus enable these porthe propellersare arranged within thehullof the ship where they will be conveniently accessible for adjustment and repair,'the engines are connected to drive the propellers which are located exteriorly'of the hull, by shafts 49 and 50 which may be connected to the respective propeller shafts by suitable the depressions 45: and

apparatus placed in separate ears suspended from the transverse and longitudinal mem ers. r r i I Instead of a truss structure which proe for example as that hereinbefore described other truss structures 'providing a greater number of longitudinals may be employed; and an example: of sucha structure is-showndiagrammatically in Figs. 7 and 8. In this embodiment of the invention, Figs? represents a side elevatio'n of one of the amidship gas cell panels, the circumferentialtrusses at -the fore and aftends thereof being shown. represents the two adjacent transverse members ofthe ship which may support the outer cover substantially in the manner hereinbefore described, or may be located at the inner apex of the transverse frame and 2 desig nates the gas cell space formed between them. The truss structure'forming the framework, in'this embodiment, comprises truss verticals composed of rigid members 51- and 52 which are preferablystiifened by 1attice-work53, these members extending in the direction of the transverse circumference of" the ship within the diameters verse members and they may be joined and secured thereto bya-system of struts or stay wires, or both, similar to that hereinbefore described for the transverse members 1. In this instance, eight trusses compose each cir-' truss chords'or longitudinal members 54 proceeding fore and aft 51 and 52 and eightj'pairs; of truss diagonals 55, The truss chords or longitudinal'members 54 of the longitudinallyadj acent'series of trusses as shown 'arein alinement and are 'oined at. their ends 56 and the distant ends of the circumferentially adjacenttruss diag onals are joined at these same points, the alined'chords of'the trusses forming longitudinals which are continuous throughout the length of the ship and the truss diagonals being joined'thereto at the midpoint-s between adjacent truss verticals; The other ends of the truss diagonals are joined to the respective truss verticals 51' and 52 at the mid-points in, the circumferential lengths thereof-between the longitudinals. In such 7 a truss'structure, the diagonals 55 and chords of the respective trans-V there being a set of eight from the truss verticals will lie Substantially in the planes of the sides of an octagon and henccthe truss diagonals will not-extend into. the gas cell space sufli'ciently t'o interfere appreciably with the gas cell therein, and moreover, the gas cell space may-beef increased size for a ship of given transverse diameter, as compared with truss structures which form a smaller numberof longitudinals.

In both embodiments. of the invention herein shown, the longitudinal cover-supporting members are'elfectually supported by the transverse members which are spaced at suitable intervals longitudinally of the ship and are capable of sustaining the stresses which act on the cover, and the ship enabled to sustain bending and shearing stresses imposed thereon by the. interior framework Which is contained within and secured to the transverse members but is not subject to injury in case the outside cover or its supports are injured. The truss structures composing the framework afford great strength and rigidity in relation to the weight thereof, and by employing trusses which are statically determinate, the stresses acting on the different members of the, trusses can be calculated so that the truss members may be constructed of suitable cross sections to sustain the actual stresses that may be imposed thereon. NVhile it will ordinarily be suiiicient to construct each truss of suflicientmembers to render the truss statically determinate, it may be desirable in some cases, as for example, where the ship is to be employed for military purposes, to add to the'trusses superfluous or auxiliary members :which will prevent collapse of a truss in the event one of its primary members is shot away or other wise injured,

I claim as my invention 1. An airship structure comprising longitudinally spaced members providing gas cell spaces between them, a gas cell netting in each space, and a pair of catenaries spanning each space and having their ends connected to the adjacent members to sustain respective the lift of a buoyant cell and the Weight of the cell when deflated, the lift sustaining catenary having connections-between its intermediate portions and the netting. I 2. An airship structure comprising longitudinally spaced members providing gas cell spaces between them, a gas cell netting in each space, a transverse bulkhead within and connected to each member dividing adjacent g'ascell spaces, and catenaries spanning the spaces and connected at their ends to the respective members, the intermediate portions of the catenaries being connected to the respective gas cell nettings whereby the longitudinal tension exerted on said members by a catenary will oppose the opposite longitudinal force exerted on the adjacent bulkheads. Y I

I '3. Aco'ver support for airships and the like comprising a cove-resupporting member, strutsiextendingtransversely from one side thereof, and reversely curved wires extending longitudinally of said member at one side 3 thereof and cooperative with said struts to resist bending of said member in either of two opposite directions.

In'an airship, a self contained rigid structure comprising trusswork forming the members surrounding-said framework and C attached tosaid transverse braces, each of said ring members together with the braces adjacent thereto constituting a main transverse ring for the airship, and cover support ing means surrounding said rings and said framework and sustaining the lift of the gas carried by said ship.

6. In an airship, main transverses, circular and longitudinal cover supporting means supp cited by said transverses, and longitudinally extending rigid trusswork within the framework defined bysaid cover supporting means connecting said transverses, said transverses and said trusswork comprising a self contained structure adapted to sustain all major loading on said airship.

'7. In a rigid airship, transverse cover supi porting rings, longitudinal girders connected to said rings in spaced relation around the periphery thereof, main transverse rings interiorly of said cover supporting rings and trusswork extending from each ring to each of said main rings adjacent main ring interiorly of said longitudinal girders, said main rings and said trusswork beingrigidly 1;

attached together to form a framework for said airship statically determinate as to all stresses therein.

8. In a rigid airship, a primary framework to sustain major loading and a secondary framework supplemental to said primary framework, said primary framework comprising transverse rings and trusswork between said rings, said secondary framework comprising outer cover supporting ring members and longitudinal girders rigidly supported by said transverse rings in spaced relation around the periphery thereof to support the cover of said ship in conjunction with said outer ring members, said primary trusswork being disposed internally" of said secondary framework, said trusswork and said transverse rings comprising a statically determinateframework for said airship.

9. In a rigid airship, transverse cover supporting rings and longitudinal ties, attachedv to said rings in spaced relation around the 10. In .a rigid airship, transverse rings havinginternal trusswork in the plane, of

said rings comprising beams spanning arcs around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings outof the plane of said rings but rigidly attached thereto, trussing connecting the auxiliary trusswork of each ring with each adjacent ring to form a framework for said airship staticallydeterminate asto all stresses therein. i

11. In a rigid airship, transverse rings ha-vinginternal trusswork in the plane of said rings comprising-beams spanningarcs around the circumference thereof to, form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings outof the plane of said rings but rigidly attachedthereto, theouter ends of said auxiliary trusswork convergingto- 'wards the ends of said beams to terminate in the plane of its ring, and trussing connecting the auxiliary trusswork of each ring with the supplemental trusswork of each adjacent ring to form a framework. for said airship.

12. In a rigid airship, transverse rings having internal trusswork in the plane of said rings comprising beams spanning arcs around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings out of the plane of said rings comprising beams on "either side of oppositely disposed beams in said rings, each of said beams and the auxiliary trusswork therefor 1 lying substantially in the same plane, said plane being substantially parallel to the axis of said airship, trussing connecting the auxiliary trusswork of each ring with similar auxiliary trusswork of adjacent rings to form a rigid framework for said airship. i

13. In a rigid airship, transverse rings having internal trusswork comprisingbeams spanning arcs around I the circumference thereof to form clsedgeometr1c figures, aux-' w iliary trusswork for each of saidfbeams lying geometrically equivalent to.

in a' single plane, said plane being substantially parallel to the axis of said airship, andlongitudinal girders extending past each ring throughoutithe entire length of the airship, said girders being rigidly attached to said auxiliary trusswork of each ring to form a continuous integral framework statically determinate as to all stresses.

d4 In a rigid airship, transverse rings having internal trusswork comprising beams spanning, arcs around; the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliarytrusswork for said rings out of the plane of said rings but rigidly attachedthereto, the outer ends of said auxiliary said beams to terminatein the plane of its ring, trussing connecting the supplemental trusswork of each ring with'the supplemental trusswork of each. adjacent ring, said trusswork comprising double girders, o'neof said girders being attached to the point of. convergence. of said beams and said trusswork at a point substantially adjacent the periphery of said rings, the other ofx-said girders being attached to said trusswork at a point substantially interior of said airship, said girders both extending to an adjacent ring for rigid attachment thereto-to form a rigid framework for said airship.

15. Inna, rigid airship, transverse rings. having internal trusswork comprisingbeams spanning arcs 5 around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings out of Y the plane of said rings but rigidly attached thereto, the outer ends of said auxiliary trussworkconverging towards the ends of said beams s, to terminate in the plane of its ring, trussing connecting the supplemental trusswork of each ring with the supplemental trusswork of each adjacent ring, said trusswork comprising double girders,;one of said girders being attached to the point of convergence of said beams and said trusswork at a point substantially adjacent the periphery ofsaid rings, the other of said girders being attached I to saidltrusswork at a point substantially interior of said airship, SL1Cl girders each extending diagonally. to an adjacent ring whereby said first mentionedgirder is attached to a point on said adjacent ring corresponding to the point of origin of the secondnamed girder from saidfirst named ring and said second named'girder extending outwardly for attachment to said adjacent ring at a point adjacent the periphery thereof. r

1,6. The combination as set forth in claim wherein said diagonally disposed double trusswork is continuous throughout the entire length of the framework of said airship:

17. In a rigid airship, transverse rings having internal trusswork comprising beams spanning ares around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, aux- V trusswork convergingtowards the ends of. I

the point of convergence of acent rings, 7 said iliary trusswork for .said rings out of the plane of said .rings but rigidly attached thereto, said auxiliary trusswork comprising means disposed on either side of said ring, said first named beams and said auxiliary trusswork lying in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the airship, the auxiliary beams approaching nearest said first named beams at a point substantially midway of the ends thereof and gradually diverging therefrom to a desired point, said auxiliary beams converging from said desired point to terminate in the plane of said first named beams, and double trusswork connecting adjacent rings, said double trusswork originating at from the point of greatest divergence of said auxiliary beams and extending to an adjacent ring for rigid attachment thereto.

18. In a rigid airship, transverse rings having internal trusswork on either side of the plane of said rings comprising beams spanning arcs around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings out of the plane of said rings but rigidly attached thereto, said auxiliary trusswork comprising beams slightly diverging from a central point away from said first named beams to a desired point and diverging towards said first named beams to terminate substantially in the plane of said rings, and double trusswork extending throughout the length of said ship for alternate attachment to said rings at the points 'of convergence of the beams and to maximum points of divergence of the beams comprising the auxiliary trussworlz. 1

19; The combination as set forth in claim 18 wherein the double trusswork is composed of rigid diagonals having their points of crossing substantially midway between addiagonals being rigidly attached to each other. 7

20. In a rigid airship, transverse cover supporting rings, longitudinal girders disposed in spaced relation around the periphery of said rings and rigidly attached there to, beams spanning adjacent arcs of said rings to form main transverse rings, and diagonally extending trusswork disposed in spaced pairs within said longitudinals bracing said main transverse rings with respect to each other and each adjacent ring whereby a self contained braced framework is pro- Vided for said airship.

21. In a rigid airship, transverse rings,

- longitudinal girders disposed in spaced relation around the periphery of said rings and rigidly attached thereto and diagonally extending double K trusswork interiorly of the structure defined by said longitudinals connecting and bracing adjacent rings, said diagonals crossing at a point substantially midway of their length, and plates rigidly said beams, and.

a rigid and durable trussworlr.

22A transverse ring for airships comprising three sets of girders comprising polygons, two of said polygons being of equal perimeter, the other of said polygons having a greater perimeter, all of said polygons attached to both of saiddiagonals to form being in different planes, the first two of said necting said members in rigid relation at I frequent intervals around the peripheries thereof. a

24. In a transverse ring for airships, an outer polygonal structure and an inner polygonal structure having its vertices rigidly attached to said outer structure, diagonals connecting opposite vertices of said inner polygon and a nest of graduated polygons geometrically equivalent to said'inner poly gon attached. to said'diagonals and forming a bulkhead for gas cells. r

25. In a transverse ring for airships, an outer polygonal member, an inner polygonal member havingits vertices rigidly attached to said outer member, and trusses extending 7 from one point on said outer polygonal memher to another point thereof, said trusses and the arc of the outer member spanned thereby enclosing a vertex of said polygonal member and being rigidly attached to said outer polygonal member to strengthen the connection and distribute the loading on said vertex. i

26. In a transverse ring for airships, an outer polygonal member,.an inner polygonal member having its vertices rigidly attached to said outer member, and trusses extending from points on said outer member below each of said vertices whereby said trusses and the arcs of the outer member spanned thereby each include a vertex of said inner polygon, said trusses-each being rigidly attached to said inner polygon at the points of crossing.

27. The combination as set forth in claim 26 wherein said trusses continue around the perimeter of said ring to form rigid connection between said outer member and said inner polygon at a plurality of points around the perimeter thereof.

28. In a transverse ring for rigid airships, an outer polygonal member, an inner quadrilateral eachcomponent side thereof having greater inherent strength than any com the points po-nent side of said polygonal member disposed within said polygonal member and having the vertices thereof rigidly attached directly to said outer member, trusswork connecting the sides of said-quadrilateral and said outer member at frequent. intervals around said ring, said trusswork cuttingacross one vertex of said quadrilateral and being attached thereto at the points of crossing, and diagonals connecting opposite vertices of said quadrilaterals, the entire ring comprising a structure statically determinate as to all stresses therein.

29. The combination as set forth in claim 28 together with additional trusswork rendering said ring statically indeterminate to a desired extent.

30. The combination as set forth in claim 28 together with additional trusswork rendering said ring statically indeterminate, said additional trusswork comprising, if desired, trusswork cutting across additional vertices. j

31. In a transverse ring forrigiol airships,

an outer polygonal member, an inner quadrilateral of greater inherent strength than said outer member disposed within said outer member .and having the vertices thereof rigidly attached thereto, trusswork connecting the sides of said quadrilateral and said outer member at frequent intervals around the perimeters thereof, certain members of said trusswork cutting across the vertices of said quadrilateral and beingvattached thereto at of crossing, a structural member bisecting the angle of each enclosed vertex, bracing for said structural member c0mpris ing girders attached thereto and to the sides of said quadrilateral and diagonals for said quadrilateral attached endwise to said structural member and adapted to sustain and partially comprise a bulkhead between 'gas cells whereby said entire ring is statically determinate as to all stresses therein.

32. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, a

main framework comprising beams spanning arcs of said rings and rigid longitudinals connecting said beams to beams in adjacent rings, a secondary framework comprising the arcs of the rings spanned by said beam's'together with cover supporting means,gas cells enclosed by said cover supporting means, said cover supporting means bemg adapted to sustain the lift of the gas in said cells and means" for transferring the load due to said lift from said cover supporting means radially to said transverse rings.

33. In arigid airship, transverse-rings having internal bracing including beams spanning arcs thereof to form a closed geometric figure, a cover and cover supporting means extending over said rings, and a main frame work including diagonals extending from said beams to beams in adjacent rings, saidbeing adapted to sustain the lift of the gasin said airship for transference to saidmain'framework.

34. Ina rigid airship, transverse rings having internal bracing including beams spanning arcs thereof to form a closed geometric figure, a cover and cover supporting means extending over said rings, and a main framework including diagonals extending, from said beams to beams in adjacent rings, said cover supporting means being adapted to sustain the liftoff the gas in said airship, means for transferring said lift to said main rrame. i

. 35. In a rigid airship, transverse ringshaving internal bracing including beams spanning arcs thereof to form a closed geometric figure, a cover and a cover supporting means extending over said rings, and a main framework comprising said beams and diagonals extenting between rings and connecting corresponding beams of adjacent figures, said cover supporting means sustaining the lift of the gasin said ship and catenariesextending between said'ringsand tied to saidcover supporting means to transfer the loading,

thereon to said main framework.

36. In a rigid airship, transverse rings,"

longitudinal structural means connecting said transverse rings and enclosing gas cells, trusswork disposed interi'orly of said structural means for maintaining said rings in spaced relation, a netting interiorly of said longitudinal means and eXteriorly of said trusswork and catenaries attached to said netting and to said trusswork to distribute the lift of the gas in said cells to predetermined points on said trusswork.

37. In a rigid airship, transverse rings a netting extending over said rings to confine the gas cells of said airship, rigid trussing connecting adjacent rings and catenaries attached to said trussing and to said netting at.

a'plurality of points between each pair of rings to transfer the lift of the gas in said cells directly to said trussing.

38. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, light longitudinals connecting said rings and enclosing gas cells, a heavy rigid strengthening trusswork-Within said longitudinals connecting each ring with each adjacent ring,

a netting between said longitudinals and said trusswork to take the lift exerted by the gas in said gas cells and catenaries attached to said netting and to said trusswork, said rings, longitudinals, trusswork and catenaries comprising a structure statically determinate as to all stresses in said airship.

'39. In a rlgid airship, transverse rings,

light longitudinals connecting said rings and enclosing gascells,

trusswork totake, the lift exertedby the gas and a heavy rigid strengthen in g-trusswork withinsaid longitudinals confl s i said auxiliary trusswork converging towards ring to form a framework for said airship,

- cally determinate as to all stresses comprising transverse rings and trusswork rings comprising beams in said cells and catenaries attached to said netting and to said trusswork, said rings, longitudinals, trusswork and catenaries comprising a structure statically do erminate as to'all' stresses in said airship and additional trusswork attached to said heavy trusswork rendering said structure indeterminate as to stresses to a predetermined degree. 7

l0.'In a rigid airship, transverse rings, longitudiiialgir' ers attached to said rings, a netting interiorly of said girders enclosing gascells, catei iaries attached to said rings and to said netting and adapted to transfer the lift from the gas in said cells tosaid riii and auxiliary catenaries likewise attached to said rings to support a deflated gas cell.

41. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, light'longitudinals connecting said rin s, a netting interiorly of said longitudinals enclosing gas cells, a lieavy rigid strengthening trusswork within said longitudinals co meeting each ring with each adjacent ring, catenaries attached to said netting and to said transverse rings to transfer the lift of the gas in said cells to predetermined points, and auxiliary catenaries attached to rings to sustain said gas cells when deflated.

42. In a rigid airship, transverse rings hav-.

ing internal trusswork in the plane of said spanning ares around the circumference thereof to form closed geometric figures, auxiliary trusswork for said rings rigidly attached thereto, the outer ends of the ends of said beams to terminate in the plane of its ring, trussing connecting the sup plemental trusswoi-k of each ring widi the supplemental trusswork of each adjacent and catenaries attached to point of teri'nination of said trusswork with said beams and to a netting enclosing the gas cells of said airship to form an airship statitherein. 43. In a rigid airship, a primary framework to sustain major loading and a secondary framework supplemental to said primary framework, said primary framework each ring at the between said rings, said secondary framework comprising longitudinal girders rigidly fixed to said transverse rings in spaced relation around the periphery thereof to support the cover of said ship,

said primary trusswork being disposed internally of said secondary framework, said trusswork and said transverse rings comprising a statically determinate framework for said airship, and stabilizmg fins rigidly attached to said primary framework whereby the loading on the airship due to said fins 1s likewise statically determinate.

out of the plane of said rings but.

said transverse rings comprising a statically determinate framework for saidwairship, stabilizing fins rigidly attached to saidfprimary framework whereby loading thereon due to said fins is likewise determinate as to all stresses and aukiliary trusswork in said framework to render said frame-work statically indeterminate.

45. In a rigid airship, a primary frame-: work to sustain major loading and a secondary framework supplemental to said primary framework, said primary framework comprising transverse rings in spaced relation around the periphery thereof to support the cover of said ship, said primary trusswork being disposed internally of said secondary framework, said trusswork and said transverse rings comprising a statically de-' terminate framework for said airship, stabilizing fins rigidly attached to said primary framework to render loading thereon due to said fins likewise statically determinate and additional bracing for said fins rendering the loading on said framework due to the fins statically indeterminate.

46. In an airship, a self contained rigid structure comprising trusswork forming the main framework of the airship, auxiliary framework comprising ring members joined by light longitudinals surrounding said framework at intervals and a network extending over the interior of'said rings, said auxiliary framework being of comparatively light materials, said self contained rigid structure being adapted to sustain all major loading on said airship and a corridor extending longitudinally of said airship supported by said main trusswork.

a7. In combination in an airship, transverse rings, longitudinal trusses connecting said rings, a corridor extending internally and transversely of said rings, a second con i'idor extending longitudinally of the airship intersecting the transverse corridors in said rings, said rings comprising an outer circular member and a quadrilateral member within said circular member and having each of its vertices rigidly attached thereto, and structural ties connecting said circular memberand said quadrilateral member at frequent intervals therearound, said longitudinal corridor being supported by said structural ties intermediate to vertices of said quadrilateral whereby the loading due to said corridor is Lew-95c sustained by said rings and distributed thereover in predetermined relation.

48. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, longitudinally extending cover supporting means attached to said rings around the p eriphery thereof in spaced relation, a main trusswork enclosed by said cover supporting means for maintaining said rings in spaced braced relation, said trusswork comprising polygonal members having each vertex thereof attached to an outer substantially circular ring and rigid trussing connecting each side of each polygon with a corresponding side of a polygon in an adjacent ring, trussing between saidouter ringsand each of said polygons at frequent intervals therearound, and power plants to drive said airship, said power plants being disposed across the plane of said rings and supported by said trussing whereby the loading due to said plants is distributed to said rings and said trusswork in a predetermined statically determinate relation;

49. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, longitudinally extending cover supporting means attached to said rings around the periphery thereof in spaced relation, a main trusswork enclosed by said cover supporting means for maintaining said rings in spaced braced relation, said trusswork comprising polygonal members havingeach vertex attached to an outer substantially circular ring and rigid trussing connecting each side of each polygon with a corresponding side of a polygon in an adjacent ring, trussing between said outer rings and each of said polygons at frequent intervals therearound, a. corridor extending longitudinally of said ship supported by said trusswork in a predetermined relation with said trusswork, and power plants likewise supported by said trusswork in predetermined relation with said trussw'ork whereby the entire airship is statically determinate as toall stresses therein.

50. In a rigid airship, transverse rings, longitudinally extending cover supporting means attached to said rings around the periphery thereof in spaced relation, a main trusswork enclosedby said cover supporting means for maintaining said rings in spaced braced relation, said trusswork comprising polygonal members having each vertex thereof attached to an outer substantially circular ring and rigid trussing connecting each side of each polygon with a corresponding side of a polygon in an adjacent ring, trussing between said outer rings and each of said polygons at frequent intervals therearound, and power plants to drive said airship, said power plants being disposed across the plane of said rings and supported by said trussing whereby the loading due to said plants is distributed to said rings and said trusswork in a predetermined statically determinate relation, and auxiliary trusswork for supporting said power plants whereby the loading due thereto is renderedstatically indeterminate.

51. The combination as set forth in claims-l7 together with auxiliarytrjusswork disposed across vertices of said polygonal members to provide additional support thereby rendering the framework of the airship statically Z indeterminate to a predetermined extent,

152. In a rigid airship, transverserings and longitudinal girders connecting said rings, catenaries attached to each of said girders and extending between said rings to assist said girdersto resist outward deformation thereof 'due to pressure, of the lifting gas thereagainst and structural wires for bracing said girders and catenaries against torsion. 7 v

53. In a rigid airship, transverse rings and longltudmal glrders connecting said rlngs,

catenaries attached to eachof said girders and extending between said rings to assist:

said girders to resist inward deformation thereof due to pressure against the cover of said airship, and structural wires for bracing said girders and catenaries against torsion.

54:. In a rigid airship, a main framework including transverse rings, longitudinal girders disposed around the periphery of said rings to support the cover of the airship, and opposed girders, one of said catenaries resisting inward deformation, the other of said catenaries resisting outward deformation.

55. In a rigid airship, a main framework comprising transverse rings and longitudinally disposed trusswork connecting said rings, rigid cover supporting means supported in spaced relation around said rings around the periphery thereof exteriorly of said trusswork, a catenary carried by said means and 1 rigid ties connecting said means to said main framework whereby said means and said catenaries are maintained in substantial radial alinement with respect to said airship.

56. In a rigid airship, transverse rings and longitudinal girders connecting said rings, catenaries attached to each of said girders and to each of said transverse rings deformation of said girders, graduated rigid struts between said girders and said catenaries and diagonal structural means for bracing said girders, sai-d struts and said catenaries against torsion.

57 In a rigid airship, transverse rings and longitudinal girders connecting said rings, catenaries attached to each of said girders and .to said rings to assist said girders in resisting inward and outward deformation, graduated rigid struts attached to said girders for maintaining said catenaries in the most advantageous position therewith, means for bracing said girders and catenaries against torsion, and wire mesh comprising gas cell containers interiorly of said girders catenaries carried by said to resist 

